Department of Politics

Top 3 for Research in the UKResearch Excellence Framework 2014

Top 10 for Politics in the UKThe Complete University Guide 2019

Course description

This combination of subjects gives you the chance to examine ideas about human nature and society that underpin political theory. You'll study modules in the Department of Politics and the Department of Philosophy. Half your modules will be in politics, the other half in philosophy.

Politics teaching includes international relations, governance and public policy, political theory and comparative politics. The geographical areas covered include Europe (Central, Southern and Eastern Europe and the European Union), the Americas, Asia (South) and Africa.

First-year modules include Introduction to Political Analysis and An Introduction to Western Political Thought. In the second and third years, you'll take more compulsory and optional modules followed by a project module or a dissertation.

The philosophy side of the course is flexible. There are no compulsory modules. You can develop your understanding of key areas such as ethics, philosophy of mind, theory of knowledge, political philosophy, metaphysics and logic. We also teach courses on major figures in the history of philosophy such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes and Hegel.

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers.

In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

Learning and assessment

These figures give an indication of how you'll learn and be assessed. They're a combined average of all the years of the two single honours courses on which this dual degree is based. The learning and assessment percentages could vary depending on the modules you choose.

Learning

Scheduled teaching

13%

Independent study

87%

Placement

0%

Assessment

Exams/tests

31%

Coursework

69%

Practical

0%

Department of Politics

We're one of the UK's top departments for research and teaching in politics and international relations.

We have over 50 academic staff working at the cutting edge of the discipline, doing ground-breaking research on a huge range of topics. This research directly shapes and inspires what you're taught. You'll have the opportunity to learn from lecturers, who use innovative teaching to bring politics to life.

Department of Philosophy

We pride ourselves on the diversity of our modules and the high quality of our teaching. Our staff are among the best in the world at what they do. They're active researchers so your lectures and seminars are informed, relevant and exciting. We'll teach you how to think carefully, analytically and creatively.

Our staff and students use philosophy to engage with real world issues. You will be able to use what you learn to make a difference in the community, through projects like Philosophy in the City, an innovative and award-winning programme that enables students to teach philosophy in schools, homeless shelters and centres for the elderly. Out students run a thriving Philosophy Society and the only UK undergraduate philosophy journal. Our Centre for Engaged Philosophy pursues research into questions of fundamental political and social importance, from criminal justice and social inclusion to climate ethics, all topics that are covered in our teaching. Philosophy changes our perspective on the world, and equips and motivates us to make a difference.

Applicant open days
If you've received an offer to study with us, we'll invite you to one of our applicant open days, which take place between November and April. These open days have a strong department focus and give you the chance to really explore student life here, even if you've visited us before.

Campus tours
Campus tours run regularly throughout the year, at 1pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.